Proposal: GitLab donation matching for employee contributions to social justice and equality efforts

Situation

We are exceptionally fortunate to be employed by GitLab, a company that values transparency and supports its team members and community. We acknowledge that we come from a place of privilege and safety, and seek to support and empower past, present, and future team members in their efforts to build a safe, equitable, and sustainable future for GitLab and our global community. We commend GitLab's dedication to examining its leadership and hiring plans, and look forward to seeing how we continue to learn and grow.

We appreciate GitLab's commitment to its value of "Family and friends first", whether the need is to care for our parents or children or neighbors during the pandemic, or taking the time to ensure our mental health is addressed along with our physical well-being.

Complication

However, some of us are unable to fully enjoy our time with our family and friends. Some team members may feel helpless when faced with the fear of losing a loved one who “fits the profile”, or who are putting themselves between a friend and someone who wishes them harm. At the end of the day, we do not see the fight for racial equality and social justice as a "political" issue but rather a human rights issue.

We chose to share this pain with the rest of the company because we felt empowered by Sid’s genuine message and compassion. Many of us had their managers check-in to see how they’re feeling. This level of compassion is different from any of what was expressed these past few years by other companies. This is what makes us different. We are humans with a heart, led by humans with a heart.

Question

How can we – GitLab and its team members – make an impact as a group?

Answer

We understand that, historically, GitLab has not matched donations. We would love to start a discussion to see

• If that decision is available to change
  • How other comparable organizations have arranged donation matching
• If not, what collective action team members can organize to collect and distribute funds
• How to support continued education and activism opportunities

Considerations

• Conversation impetus via Slack
• Conversation notes

Potential recipients and reasons

• Know Your Rights Camp
  • Why: "The Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense Initiative has identified and teamed up with top defense lawyers and civil rights lawyers nationwide to provide legal resources for those in need." -- KYRC is helping with legal costs for protestors arrested during BLM demonstrations
• National Black Food and Justice Alliance
  • Why: Food – access to it, the ability to control it, and its tie to long-term sovereignty and empowerment – is freedom. "Considering Black land loss, reduction of Black farming, excessive junk food marketing in black communities coupled with reduced access to healthy food infrastructure in urban and rural black communities that paradoxically exist with hunger and high rates of food related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, we are in a critical time and trend right now." -- an interesting write-up on the organization
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund Defend
  • Why: NAACP is committed to "fighting for racial justice and defending civil rights in America through legislative change."
• Black Lives Matter
  • Why: "#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes."
• Center for Black Equity
  • Why: "The Center for Black Equity is the National leader in connecting members of the Black LGBTQ+ community with information and resources to educate, engage and empower their fight for equity and access."

Other action items

• Ask team members for proposed organizations
• What requirements must an organization meet in order for us to feel comfortable donating to it? (A rubric.)
• Other potential fundraising ideas
• Who do GitLab’s investors support?
• Add a timeline

Additional context

We all have biases, and that’s okay. We do not doubt the intentions of GitLab or our team members. We do want to inspire and enact real movement, and support those team members who may seek a starting point.